Computer Magic

Computer Magic is the electronic music solo-project of American producer Danielle "Danz" Johnson from Brooklyn, NY.^[2] She is the singer, writer, composer, and often the producer for Computer Magic. Her musical influences include Radiohead, Broadcast and Stereolab. She has also listed Philip K. Dick and Barbarella as further influences. ^[3][1][4] Her music has been described as otherworldly, cosmic-pop.^[5][6] She has maintained success in Japan and has gained a cult following in the United States.^[7][8]

Beginnings

Johnson was born and raised in the Catskills in both Woodridge, New York and Rock Hill, New York. She moved to Chinatown in New York, NY to attend Hunter College.^[2]

Johnson started her own music blog at the age of 15.^[2][9] She became a DJ in New York City at the age of 18 at places such as the Tribeca Grand Hotel and The Annex.^[10]

She began producing music at her Mother's house whilst on hiatus from New York in Tampa, FL.^[4] There, she taught herself how to make music. She has stated that she writes music entirely by ear.^[11][12]

The name Computer Magic is derived from a quote in This Is Spinal Tap from Viv Savage, "Quite exciting this computer magic!".^[13]

Music

Since 2011, Computer Magic has released seven self-produced EPs and one studio EP with White Iris ^[14] A number of Computer Magic's songs are released for free at first, giving fans a chance to download them before they go up for digital sale on iTunes. About this, Danz has said that "The more people that have your music and enjoy it the better.".^[13]

In 2014, her self-produced song Running (Hiding Version) was featured on two separate television commercials for Aria Resort and Casino and Lexus.^[15][16]

Davos

Computer Magic released her first LP entitled Davos on October 16, 2015 with her own record label in the US, Channel 9 Records with Kobalt Label Services, and in Japan with Tugboat and P-Vine Records.

She recorded the songs with Claudius Mittendorfer over the course of 2 years in New York, New York.^[7] The title Davos is a homage to a now-'decrepit' ski resort where Johnson grew up in upstate New York, where her dad worked and still resides although the ski resort closed when Johnson was 3 years old.^[7][17]

Danz in the Fuzz music video.

The video for the first single off the album, Be Fair, features Danz in a space crash that was filmed in Trona Pinnacles.^[17] The video for the second single Fuzz features Danz in dramatic futuristic wardrobe, through which Danz splits her time between light and dark roles.^[18]

Japan

Computer Magic has released four full-length records in Japan with Tugboat Records and P-Vine Records.^[19] The first record entitled Scientific Experience, debuted at #5 on the iTunes Japanese Electronic Music Chart.^[20] Her January 2015 release "Mindstate" debuted at #1 on the iTunes Japanese Electronic Music Chart.^[21]

She has composed numerous songs for commercials in Japan for companies such as Panasonic and QP.^[22][23]

In late 2013, Johnson became the face of Sofia Coppola's Japanese clothing company Milkfed.^[24]

Discography

Albums

• 2015: Davos

EPs

• 2016: Obscure but Visible - EP [Vinyl + Digital]
• 2015: Dreams of Better Days- EP
• 2014: Extra Stuff - EP [Vinyl + Digital]
• 2013: A Million Years / Another Science - EP [Vinyl + Digital]
• 2012: Kitsuné:Orion - EP
• 2011: Spectronic - EP
• 2011: Electronic Fences - EP [Vinyl + Digital]
• 2010: Hiding From More of Our Time - EP
• 2010: Hiding From Our Time - EP

Japan-Only Releases

• 2015: Mindstate
• 2013: Phonetics
• 2012: Scientific Experience

Music videos

• 2011: The End of Time
• 2012: Trinity
• 2013: A Million Years
• 2013: Moving Forward
• 2014: All I Ever Wanted ^[25]
• 2015: Mindstate ^[26]
• 2015: Be Fair ^[27]
• 2015: Hudson ^[28]
• 2016: Fuzz ^[29]
• 2016: Dimensions ^[30]

References